wish campaign

 

Thank you to the Huddersfield Examiner for another lovely article. As part of their ‘Wish 2012’ campaign they will feature all the charities and organisations in Huddersfield that have joined up in the hope of receiving a share of £25,000. Today our very own HDSSG got their chance to shine:

 

FAMILIES who have children with Down Syndrome in Huddersfield have access to  a parents’ network of advice and support.

The Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group has harnessed the latest  technology to ensure they are constantly in touch.

An easy-to-use website, Facebook page and Twitter feed mean friendly help and  advice is only a click away.

The group, which has some 40 members, is open to all Huddersfield parents  with children from birth age to 21 years.

Communications officer Leanne Davies, whose six-year-old son Jack has Down  Syndrome, said the group was run by parents for parents and always welcomed new  members.

The group regularly holds social events and gatherings aimed at all the  family including brothers and sisters.

Days at the seaside, impromptu picnics, trips to the zoo, swimming sessions  and the much-anticipated annual panto visit are loved by the children.

The group, though, offers a great deal of practical help and advice for  parents.

Leanne said: “The idea is that we can all share our experiences with each  other.

“We all have different areas of expertise. For example some of us work in  schools and can help with issues involving schooling.

“There are some great services available locally and we can help people  access them.”

This weekend the group will launch Tiny Talkers, a six-week speech and  language therapy programme.

The Sunday morning sessions will take place at The Watershed in  Slaithwaite.

Due to demand from parents, the group has invested in training for one of  their number, Bernie Egan, a mum of two children with Down Syndrome.

Bernie trained with Symbol UK and will deliver the programme to younger  children first.

Leanne, 32, who lives in Oakes, said: “This is something that has come from  parents.

“As we all know resources are stretched in the area and communication for our  children is absolutely vital.

“Hopefully we will be able to continue to develop the programme as we go  along.”

While the accent is on fun, the group is about so much more than that.

“It’s not just about days out,” said Leanne. “It’s about educating and  empowering parents.”

To contact the group go to: www.hdssg.org.

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition which results in some level of  learning disability and a characteristic range of physical features.

Learning disability significantly affects a child’s ability to learn compared  with other children of their age.

It does not mean, however, that a child cannot learn at all.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISPLAY ONE OF OUR POSTERS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY & PRINT THIS PDF – HDSSG token poster

Read More http://www.examiner.co.uk/leisure-and-entertainment/wish-2012/2012/09/14/examiner-wish-2012-down-syndrome-group-for-parents-86081-31831005/2/#ixzz26RFI4Ian

♦ Thank you to Martin Shaw at the Huddersfield Examiner for the great write up.